Walking paths, trees, and a playground in a courtyard of an apartment complex.
CDA Housing

Preferences

The CDA gives waitlist preferences to some applicants. These preferences prioritize certain individuals and residents in Madison and Dane County. 

For some types of preference, you’ll need to provide documents that prove you are eligible. You can do this when you apply or at any time when you are on a waitlist.

We’ll verify your eligibility when you apply. We’ll also re-verify when you get to the top of the waitlist.

Residency

If you live in the City of Madison or Dane County, you can get residency preference. You’ll need to verify your address.

You’re eligible for this preference if the head-of-household, spouse, or co-head lives, works, or goes to school in the City of Madison or Dane County. We give priority to City applicants over County applicants.

To get this preference, provide one of the following:

  • Copy of current signed lease (including landlord signature)
  • Utility bill in your name
  • Shelter verification letter
  • Recent hotel or motel receipt with an address in Madison or Dane County
  • Pay stub with employer's current address in Madison or Dane County
  • Letter from current employer or supervisor stating the address of where you work in Madison or Dane County
  • School registration records
  • Social Service Agency Residency Verification Affidavit filled out by a social worker or case worker

Children, Older Adults, and People with Disabilities

We automatically give preference to families, older adults, and people with disabilities. You do not need to prove you are eligible.

You’ll receive this preference if:

  • Children: Your household has a child under 18 years old.
  • Older adults: Head-of-household, spouse, or co-head is 62 years or older.
  • Disabilities: Head-of-household, spouse, or co-head must self-certify that you have a disability. You also need to self-certify that you currently receive Social Security benefits.

Section 8 Only

Section 8 applicants can get preference if you are homeless or a survivor of domestic violence.

To get this preference, provide one of the following:

  • Homeless: Written certification by a public or private facility providing homeless shelter
  • Homeless: Hotel or motel receipt
  • Domestic violence: Relevant police report showing verification of domestic violence
  • Any: Social Service Agency Residency Verification Affidavit filled out by a social worker
  • Any: Report or written statement from a Social Worker, Medical Professional, or DAIS Worker

Natural Disasters

Section 8 applicants can also get preference if you had move in the past 6 months due to a federally declared natural disaster, such as a fire or flood.

You’re not eligible if you’re currently living in permanent replacement housing.

To get this preference, provide one of the following:

  • Verification from Red Cross or Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • Certification from a government agency that your home is uninhabitable and you are displaced due to a federally declared natural disaster
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